Named a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, The New York Times Book Review, NPR, and Chicago Tribune, now in paperback with a new reading group guideMedicine has triumphed in modern times, transforming the dangers of childbirth, injury, and disease from harrowing to manageable. But when it comes to the inescapable realities of aging and death, what medicine can do often runs counter to what it should.Through eye-opening research and gripping stories of his own patients and family, Gawande reveals the suffering this dynamic has produced. Nursing homes, devoted above all to safety, battle with residents over the food they are allowed to eat and the choices they are allowed to make. Doctors, uncomfortable discussing patients' anxieties about death, fall back on false hopes and treatments that are actually shortening lives instead of improving them.In his bestselling books, Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, has fearlessly revealed the struggles of his profession. Here he examines its ultimate limitations and failures―in his own practices as well as others'―as life draws to a close. Riveting, honest, and humane, Being Mortal shows how the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life―all the way to the very end. Read more

A deeply transformative memoir that reframes how we think about death and how it can help us lead better, more fulfilling and authentic lives, from America’s most visible death doula."A truly unique, inspiring perspective on the time we have, what we do with it, and how we let go of this world.... There is no one I'd trust more to guide me through an understanding of death, and how it informs life."—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Mad Honey and The Book of Two Ways"Briefly Perfectly Human is a beautiful, raw, light-bringing experience. Alua's voice is shimmering, singular, and pulses with humor, vulnerability, insight, and refreshing candor.... Be prepared for it to grab you, hold you tight, and raise the roof on the power of human connection."—Tembi Locke, author of From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding HomeFor her clients and everyone who has been inspired by her humanity, Alua Arthur is a friend at the end of the world. As our country’s leading death doula, she’s spreading a transformative message: thinking about your death—whether imminent or not—will breathe wild, new potential into your life.Warm, generous, and funny AF, Alua supports and helps manage end-of-life care on many levels. The business matters, medical directives, memorial planning; but also honoring the quiet moments, when monitors are beeping and loved ones have stepped out to get some air—or maybe not shown up at all—and her clients become deeply contemplative and want to talk. Aching, unfinished business often emerges. Alua has been present for thousands of these sacred moments—when regrets, fears, secret joys, hidden affairs, and dim realities are finally said aloud. When this happens, Alua focuses her attention at the pulsing center of her clients’ anguish and creates space for them, and sometimes their loved ones, to find peace.This has had a profound effect on Alua, who was already no stranger to death’s periphery. Her family fled a murderous coup d’état in Ghana in the 1980s. She has suffered major, debilitating depressions. And her dear friend and brother-in-law died of lymphoma. Advocating for him in his final months is what led Alua to her life’s calling. She knows firsthand the power of bearing witness and telling the truth about life’s painful complexities, because they do not disappear when you look the other way. They wait for you.Briefly Perfectly Human is a life-changing, soul-gathering debut, by a writer whose empathy, tenderness, and wisdom shimmers. Alua Arthur combines intimate storytelling with a passionate appeal for loving, courageous end-of-life care—what she calls “death embrace.” Hers is a powerful testament to getting in touch with something deeper in our lives, by embracing the fact of our own mortality. “Hold that truth in your mind,” Alua says, “and wondrous things will begin to grow around it.” Read more

An inspiring, informative, and practical guide to navigating end-of-life issues, by a groundbreaking expert in the field and the New York Times best-selling author of Knocking on Heaven’s Door. In the mid-1400s, an unnamed Catholic monk composed a popular self-help book called Ars Moriendi, or The Art of Dying. Written in Latin, this medieval death manual taught people how to navigate the trials of the deathbed using simple rituals of repentance, reassurance, and letting go. Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Katy Butler argues that we have lost touch with the “art of dying” as practiced by our ancestors, yet we still hunger for rites of passage and a sense of the sacred, especially in the important life transitions of aging and dying. Butler has lectured at medical schools and spoken with community and caregiving organizations across the country. Here she reveals what she has learned about dying in America today - and how to have a better end of life. We are coping with a medical system in disarray in its approach to people who are aging, dying, or chronically ill. Butler argues it's not about living as long as possible, it's about living as well as possible. Not only does our current system poorly serve our medical needs, it also crowds out any sense of the sacred. It’s time to restore a sense of ​honor​, and through exploring the stages of later life, sharing “good death” stories, as well as offering practical takeaways, The Art of Dying Well illuminates a path to a better end of life. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

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Embark on a rejuvenating journey to wellness with "DR. SEBI SIMPLE 7 DAYS JUICE DETOX." Crafted by a seasoned health expert deeply rooted in Dr. Sebi's holistic philosophy, this comprehensive guide unveils a transformative 7-day juice detox plan designed to cleanse your body and revitalize your health.In this insightful book, you'll discover a seamless integration of Dr. Sebi's principles into a practical and accessible juice detox. Dive into a week-long journey of nourishment, guided by expert advice and delectable juice recipes that not only support detoxification but also tantalize your taste buds."DR. SEBI SIMPLE 7 DAYS JUICE DETOX" goes beyond being a mere detox guide; it's a roadmap to a lifestyle that embraces the healing power of natural, plant-based ingredients. Whether you're familiar with Dr. Sebi's teachings or new to this holistic approach, this book provides a clear and inspiring path to revitalizing your body and reclaiming your well-being. Bid farewell to toxins and welcome a refreshed, revitalized you with this essential guide to Dr. Sebi's Simple 7 Days Juice Detox.BUY NOW! Read more

In this thoroughly revised and updated classic, a renowned psychologist shows that mourning is far from predictable, and all of us share a surprising ability to be resilient The conventional view of grieving - encapsulated by the famous five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - is defined by a mourning process that we can only hope to accept and endure. In The Other Side of Sadness, psychologist and emotions expert George Bonanno argues otherwise. Our inborn emotions - anger and denial, but also relief and joy - help us deal effectively with loss. To expect or require only grief-stricken behavior from the bereaved does them harm. In fact, grieving goes beyond mere sadness, and it can actually deepen interpersonal connections and even lead to a new sense of meaning in life. Read more

“A profound exploration of what it means for all of us to live - and to die - with dignity and purpose.” (People) “Visceral and lyrical.” (The Atlantic) As the American-born daughter of immigrants, Dr. Sunita Puri knew from a young age that the gulf between her parents' experiences and her own was impossible to bridge, save for two elements: medicine and spirituality. Between days spent waiting for her mother, an anesthesiologist, to exit the OR, and evenings spent in conversation with her parents about their faith, Puri witnessed the tension between medicine's impulse to preserve life at all costs and a spiritual embrace of life's temporality. And it was that tension that eventually drew Puri, a passionate but unsatisfied medical student, to palliative medicine - a new specialty attempting to translate the border between medical intervention and quality-of-life care.Interweaving evocative stories of Puri's family and the patients she cares for, That Good Night is a stunning meditation on impermanence and the role of medicine in helping us to live and die well, arming listeners with information that will transform how we communicate with our doctors about what matters most to us. Read more

This is the final book to my series of four, which I believe will offer the perfect balance of information relative to death and dying for the terminal patient, those who love and care for them, and anyone who works in the end-of-life field.The Conversation is a book that combines patient stories, conversations I have had with patients about how they want to be cared for and what they struggle with, and the lessons I have learned as a hospice nurse and end-of-life doula witnessing almost 2,000 last breaths. Having the conversation with the people you love can actually make the entire process a little easier for all, because it is in those deep, personal, and intimate conversations where your wants and wishes can be heard.When someone is given a terminal diagnosis, their autonomy, their voice, and their personal choices are often taken from them. My goal is to give them their voice back. In order to do that, we need to talk about death and dying, and what matters most to us. This does not need to happen after a diagnosis, in my opinion we should be doing this as early on as we can.Talking about death and dying will not make it happen faster, and not talking about it will not slow things down.This book will hand over some tips and tools for you to get that conversation started.xoGabby Read more

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Hard Choices for Loving People: CPR, Feeding Tubes, Palliative Care, Comfort Measures, and the Patient with a Serious Illness, Sixth Edition, is a guide for helping patients and families with end-of-life decisions. --BOOK TOPICS INCLUDE-- - Considering the goals of medical care before making healthcare decisions - Treatments such as CPR, feeding tubes, dialysis, pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, hospitalization, palliative care, and hospice care as they apply to patients with a serious illness - The emotional and spiritual concerns at the end of life for people of any or no faith tradition; the journey at the final stages of life is framed as a journey of letting go and letting be Dr. Ira Byock, founder and chief medical officer of the Providence Institute for Human Caring and author of Dying Well, endorses the book as 'clear and concise, yet sensitive to the emotional turmoil of potential readers. Over the years, Hard Choices for Loving People is the book I have recommended most often to families confronting the complexities of medical treatments for loved ones with serious illnesses.' Since the book was first published in 1990, more than 3.8 million copies have been sold. Hard Choices is available as an audiobook and in Spanish, Decisiones Difíciles para los Seres Queridos. Read more

Help the dying and their loved ones by becoming a death doula.Have you witnessed someone’s last days and felt completely inept at supporting them as they prepared for the inevitable? Would you like to help dying people, and their loved ones, deal with the numerous internal and external challenges surrounding death? Becoming a trained death doula allows you to provide hands-on support to someone who is dying. Kelly Ruby Hanson relies on her experience as a death doula, life coach, and healthcare professional of twenty years to teach others what the dying process entails and how death doulas are an essential part of the dying person’s comfort and care team.End of life is a complex time full of unknown experiences and feelings. In her book, Death Doula, Kelly simplifies the tools and techniques you’ll need to master to best serve people whose lives are ending.By reading this book, you will learn to:Ask the right questions to start a conversation about the process of dying;Help clients identify their immediate needs in terms of surroundings, people, funeral arrangements, paperwork, etc.;Create a comprehensive end-of-life plan;Increase comfort and contentment by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support;Implement self-care practices to prevent burnout.Buy this book today to develop your death doula skills and learn how to care for the dying effectively and lovingly. Read more

From Ira Byock, prominent palliative care physician and expert in end of life decisions, a lesson in Dying Well. Nobody should have to die in pain. Nobody should have to die alone. This is Ira Byock's dream, and he is dedicating his life to making it come true. Dying Well brings us to the homes and bedsides of families with whom Dr. Byock has worked, telling stories of love and reconciliation in the face of tragedy, pain, medical drama, and conflict. Through the true stories of patients, he shows us that a lot of important emotional work can be accomplished in the final months, weeks, and even days of life. It is a companion for families, showing them how to deal with doctors, how to talk to loved ones—and how to make the end of life as meaningful and enriching as the beginning. Ira Byock is also the author of The Best Care Possible: A Physician's Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life. Read more

Navigating the complexities of hospice care requires a mastery of compassion and compliance. The Hospice CoP Handbook is the definitive guide for hospice directors, clinical managers, and nurses committed to delivering patient-centered care while adhering to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Designed for professionals at all levels, this essential resource translates federal mandates into actionable workflows, empowering teams to avoid penalties, streamline operations, and honor each patient’s journey with dignity.What You’ll LearnCore Compliance Strategies: Master eligibility certification, care planning, staffing, and infection control with detailed guidance on CoPs, including §418.56 (15-day care plan updates) and §418.64 (24/7 nursing availability).HOPE Tool Integration: To prepare for the October 2025 HOPE mandate, apply best practices for symptom coding (J2051), follow-up visits (SFVs), and data-informed care planning.CMS Survey Readiness: Perform mock audits, use role-playing scripts, and implement dispute-resolution strategies to tackle CMS reviews confidently.Rural and Multicultural Care: Adapt workflows to meet geographic challenges and cultural needs by utilizing telehealth, fostering community partnerships, and employing spiritual competency tools.QAPI Excellence: Turn adverse events into opportunities for improvement using root-cause analysis frameworks and CMS benchmarking.Key FeaturesReal-World Case Studies: These use scenarios based on frontline hospice care to address ethical dilemmas, prognosis conflicts, and audit risks.Actionable Tools:Laminated quick-reference guides for 48-hour assessments and SFV triggers.State-by-state compliance grids to navigate regional variations.Mock survey checklists and sample deficiency rebuttals.Regulatory Precision: Accurate accuracy is ensured by direct references to CMS manuals, NHPCO guidelines, and the 2025 HOPE requirements.Staff Empowerment: Workflows tailored for nurses, managers, and volunteers help reduce burnout while maintaining high standards.Why This Book Stands Out: Unlike typical compliance manuals, The Hospice CoP Handbook connects federal mandates with the essence of hospice philosophy. It equips teams to:Convert CoP deadlines (e.g., 48-hour certifications) into opportunities for early symptom intervention.Align HOPE documentation with patient-centered metrics like symptom burden and caregiver strain.Preempt 72% of common deficiencies, from incomplete volunteer logs to missed care plan updates.Foster interdisciplinary collaboration using IDG meeting templates and communication frameworks.For Leaders, Managers, and Frontline CliniciansDirectors: Safeguard Medicare certification with governance checklists, staffing models, and financial risk calculators.Clinical Managers: Optimize workflows using acuity-driven visit frequency guidelines and volunteer ROI strategies.Nurses: Simplify documentation with HOPE coding examples, FAST Scale tips, and audit-proof EHR practices.Appendices Include:50-State Compliance Reference GridCMS Survey Survival ToolkitCompliance Risk Matrix for high-risk deficienciesHOPE Crosswalk to CoPsSample IDG Agendas and Care Plan Audit ToolsPrepare, comply, and excel. In 2025, penalties for non-compliance will increase to 4% of Medicare reimbursements, and the stakes have never been higher. This handbook is more than just a guide—it’s your roadmap to preserving funding, preventing burnout, and providing care that transcends regulations. Read more

This comprehensive pocket-size handbook is the essential reference for clinicians and others serving patients with advanced or life-limiting illness. It offers up-to-date, relevant, and highly practical guidance to expertly meet the challenges of serving these patients and their families. This user-friendly manual emphasizes the importance of honoring patients’ wishes throughout their medical journey while meeting their whole-person, often complex needs—from symptom management to attending to spiritual and emotional suffering—and always acknowledges the context of patients’ lives, including the needs of loved ones supporting them. The layout makes finding information quick and easy, with alphabetically organized chapter headings and a detailed index. Organ-system-based chapters offer disease-specific, goals-of-care discussion guidance and reviews of etiology, signs and symptoms, assessment, and management—including standard treatment as well as palliative options. Other chapters cover communication with patients and families, consultation with colleagues, and code status discussions, along with valuable subjects such as withdrawing life support, ethics, spirituality, physician-assisted death, and palliative options of last resort. Readers will find practical management strategies for symptoms such as pain, nausea, dyspnea, and delirium. In addition, chapters on opioid use and dosing, and pharmacology of commonly used palliative medications, make this guide an invaluable resource. Read more

Care Plans for Hospice Patients: A Comprehensive Guide is an essential resource for hospice nurses seeking to enhance their care planning skills. This meticulously crafted guide offers in-depth insights into developing, implementing, and evaluating effective care plans for end-of-life patients.The book begins by exploring the fundamentals of hospice care, providing a solid foundation for understanding the philosophy and principles that guide this specialized field. It then delves into the intricacies of care plan development, offering step-by-step guidance on creating individualized, patient-centered plans that address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.Readers will find comprehensive coverage of common symptoms in hospice care, including pain management, respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal issues. Each chapter provides detailed assessment, intervention, and evaluation strategies, ensuring that nurses can confidently address the diverse challenges hospice patients face.The guide also addresses the unique needs of special populations, such as pediatric patients, those with dementia, and individuals with chronic progressive diseases. These sections offer tailored approaches to care planning that consider these groups' specific circumstances and requirements.Much of the book is dedicated to psychosocial and spiritual care, recognizing the importance of addressing emotional and existential concerns at the end of life. Chapters on anxiety, depression, family dynamics, and spiritual support provide practical tools for holistic care delivery.The guide emphasizes the critical role of the interdisciplinary team in hospice care, offering strategies for effective collaboration and communication among team members. It also provides insights into the regulatory landscape, ensuring care plans meet CMS guidelines and quality standards.Throughout the book, readers will find real-world case studies, practical examples, and evidence-based best practices that bring the concepts to life. The guide includes numerous assessment tools, care plan templates, and documentation guidelines, making it a valuable reference for novice and experienced hospice nurses.Care Plans for Hospice Patients also address implementing and evaluating care plans, offering strategies for communicating plans to the team, documenting interventions, and assessing outcomes. They guide timely adjustments to care plans as patient needs evolve, ensuring responsive and effective care throughout the hospice journey.The book concludes with a look at innovative approaches to care planning, including integrating technology and emerging trends in hospice care. This forward-looking perspective helps nurses stay at the forefront of best practices in end-of-life care.Written at a professional level suitable for registered nurses, this guide combines academic rigor with practical applicability. Its warm, compassionate tone reflects the ethos of hospice care while focusing on evidence-based practice and clinical excellence.Whether you're new to hospice nursing or an experienced practitioner looking to refine your skills, Care Plans for Hospice Patients: A Comprehensive Guide offers the knowledge and tools to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients and their families during life's most challenging journey. It is an indispensable resource for any nurse committed to excellence in hospice care planning and delivery. Read more

RNCM: The Comprehensive Guide for the Hospice Nurse Case Manager is a must-read for anyone working in the field of hospice and palliative care. Written by Frank M. Owen II, BSN, RN, a retired US Army Medic and seasoned healthcare professional with a diverse background in various areas of nursing and healthcare management, this book is a comprehensive guide to the role and responsibilities of the hospice case manager.In this book, Frank introduces readers to the concept of hospice care and focuses on the role of the hospice case manager. He discusses the various responsibilities and skills required for success in this role and offers strategies for overcoming common challenges that hospice case managers may face. The book also delves into the importance of care planning and coordination, covering topics such as developing comprehensive care plans, collaborating with the hospice care team, and communicating with patients and their families.Frank also covers clinical assessment and management, including symptom identification and management, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. He discusses the challenges and rewards of providing hospice care in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and memory care communities, and covers the importance of customer service and marketing in hospice care.The book addresses the sensitive topic of the death visit, discussing the process of pronouncing death, preparing the body of the deceased, and the steps to take after death has occurred. Frank also covers documentation and legal issues, discussing the importance of accurate and thorough documentation and the legal and ethical considerations that must be taken into account in hospice care.Frank provides guidance on working with special populations, including older adults, terminally ill children, and patients with advanced dementia, and writes about advanced care planning, including end-of-life discussions with patients and their families, decision-making around life-sustaining treatments, and bereavement support for families after a patient's death.In the final chapter, Frank reflects on the positive impact of hospice care on patients and their families and the importance of the hospice case manager in providing high-quality care. RNCM: The Comprehensive Guide for the Hospice Nurse Case Manager is an essential resource for anyone working in the field of hospice and palliative care, providing a thorough and comprehensive guide to the role and responsibilities of the hospice case manager. It is a valuable resource for nurses looking to improve their knowledge and skills in this important and rewarding field. Read more

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Winner of the Global Book AwardThe end of life is still a forbidden topic. Today, Baby Boomers, the largest population group in American history, are facing death. And nobody wants to talk about it!Join Brad Stuart, M.D. as he shows how he learned the truth about dying over a 50-year career in medicine and end-of-life care. Death is not the end. It’s a doorway. Discover how science and spirituality are converging as thousands of survivors return from death to tell their stories thanks to advances in resuscitation science and critical care. And see how psychedelic therapy can relieve the anxiety and depression that often accompanies serious illness.Lose your fear and learn to let go – trust in the ultimate and eternal reality that creates and sustains life itself. Read more

Mastering Hospice Recertifications: A Comprehensive Guide for Nurses is an essential resource for hospice nurses navigating the complex world of patient recertification. Written by Peter M. Abraham, BSN, RN, a seasoned hospice nurse with years of experience, this book offers a deep dive into the art and science of documenting patient decline and justifying continued hospice care.In today's healthcare landscape, accurate and compelling recertification documentation is more crucial than ever. This guide provides the tools, techniques, and insights needed to master this critical aspect of hospice nursing. Whether you're new to hospice care or a seasoned professional looking to refine your skills, this book is your roadmap to excellence in recertification.Key features of "Mastering Hospice Recertifications" include:The innovative "Recert Jot" method for ongoing documentationOverview of CMS standards and requirementsStrategies for Crafting Effective Recertification NarrativesSample notes for various diagnoses, from cancer to dementiaTips for integrating hospice and palliative care scales into your assessmentsGuidance on addressing challenging cases and ethical considerationsBest practices for demonstrating patient declineBut this book is more than just a manual—it's a compassionate guide recognizing the heart of hospice care. Abraham understands that behind every recertification is a patient and family navigating life's most challenging journey. His warm, empathetic approach shines through, reminding readers of their work's profound impact on patients' lives.You'll learn how to:Balance regulatory requirements with patient-centered careCommunicate effectively with families about recertificationUse comparative documentation techniques to illustrate declineLeverage recertification data for quality improvementAvoid common pitfalls in documentationMastering Hospice Recertifications also includes a bonus chapter on using recertification data to drive quality improvement initiatives, helping you contribute to advancing hospice care as a whole.This comprehensive guide is more than just a book—it's an investment in your professional growth and ability to provide the highest-quality end-of-life care. By mastering the art of recertification, you'll ensure compliance, secure continued patient care, and gain the confidence to advocate effectively for those in your care.This book provides the knowledge and tools to excel, whether documenting a patient's journey, collaborating with your interdisciplinary team, or explaining the recertification process to families.Don't let the complexities of recertification documentation hold you back. With Mastering Hospice Recertifications, you'll be equipped to navigate this crucial aspect of hospice care with skill, confidence, and compassion. Order your copy today and take the first step towards becoming a master of hospice recertification. Read more

Mastering Hospice Eligibility: An Essential Guide for RNs and Clinical Managers for Nurses is an indispensable resource for hospice and palliative care professionals seeking to navigate the complex world of hospice admissions confidently and precisely. Written by Peter M. Abraham, BSN, RN, this comprehensive guide draws from extensive experience to provide a detailed roadmap for determining hospice eligibility across various conditions.At its core, Mastering Hospice Eligibility offers:A step-by-step walkthrough of the typical admission process, from initial referral to on-site completion.In-depth coverage of eligibility criteria for various diseases and conditions, including handling diseases and conditions without LCD guidelines and reviewing GIP admission requirements.Practical advice on interviewing techniques, assessment strategies, and interpreting CMS guidelinesGuidance on using clinical judgment to make informed decisions in complex casesTools for substantiating admissions with peer-reviewed research and personal experiencesThe book is structured to support nurses throughout the entire admission process:Preparation: Learn how to effectively review clinicals and past medical history, setting the stage for a thorough assessment.Interview and Observation: Discover essential questions and critical observations to make during the hospice admission visit.Assessment: Gain insights into conducting comprehensive head-to-toe assessments tailored to hospice patients.Eligibility Determination: Understand general guidelines for terminal prognosis and specific criteria for various conditions.Decision-Making: Learn how to review cases, make recommendations, and communicate effectively with the hospice team and families.Mastering Hospice Eligibility also includes valuable resources such as hospice and palliative care scales, making it a one-stop reference for hospice nurses. The author's emphasis on empowering nurses to trust their clinical judgment while providing tools to support their decisions is a recurring theme throughout the book.Whether you're a seasoned hospice nurse looking to refine your skills or a newcomer to the field seeking guidance, "Mastering Hospice Eligibility" offers the knowledge and tools needed to:Improve the quality of patient care.Streamline the admission process.Enhance communication with patients, families, and healthcare teams.Navigate complex cases with greater confidence.Ensure compliance with CMS guidelines while prioritizing patient needs.Peter M. Abraham's compassionate approach and clear writing style make this guide informative and accessible. By combining clinical expertise with practical wisdom, "Mastering Hospice Eligibility" empowers nurses to make informed decisions that ultimately improve the end-of-life journey for patients and their families.For any nurse involved in hospice admissions, Mastering Hospice Eligibility: An Essential Guide for RNs and Clinical Managers for Nurses is more than just a book – it's an essential companion that will enhance your practice, deepen your understanding and ultimately contribute to better outcomes for those in hospice care. Read more